Storm Related Seawall Failures

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received the subgrant application for City of Punta Gorda, Seawall repair due to damages from Hurricane Irma (DR-4337-FL PW 03786). Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and 44 CFR Part 9.12, final notice is hereby given of FEMA’s intent to provide funding for this project under the Public Assistance (PA) Program. Click here to view the complete Final Public Notice.

Seawall restoration work is underway in six PGI Zones and has begun in Burnt Store Isles -North and South Zones

An estimated 52,916 feet of seawall was damaged during Hurricane Irma. To date, 69.5% of this seawall has been replaced with new wall; 53.3% of the project has been closed out with grading and sod complete. The current combined pace of the contractors is 3,850 feet per month.

The table below summarizes the status of the program. The table is current as of January 16,2019.

Zone

Work underway at map sequence numbers

Work completed on projects

Number of Projects per Zone

PGI-NE1

37 - 47

1 - 36

91

PGI-NE2

47- 55

1 - 46

83

PGI-NW1

29, 31, 32,

1 - 28, L1

55

PGI-NW2

31, 33 - 42, 44, , L1 - L3

1 - 30, 32

87

PGI-SE

30, 32 - 35, 37, 38, L 2, L4 - L 11

1- 29, L1, L3

55

PGI-SW

28, 33 - 47

1 - 27, 29 - 32

47

Harborwalk

0

1

1

BSI-N

0

4

11

BSI-S

4, 6 - 10

1 - 3, 5

11

* Each Project may consist of multiple lots, see map for construction limits.

August 23, 2018 Update: Harborwalk seawall replacement is complete. The City contractor, Marine Contracting Group (MCG), has restored the site that was being used for staging as well.

Your Seawall Replacement Subcontractor will be contacting you at least four weeks from the date of your scheduled seawall replacement project.Our subcontractors and their contact numbers are listed below:
Marine Contracting Group (MCG), 941-505-0221
Duncan, 941-351-1553; or Matt Frank, Duncan’s Project Coordinator, 941-893-0521
Shoreline Foundation, 954-985-0460
Please wait until you’ve been contacted by the subcontractors to call them with any questions, comments, that you may have concerning your seawall replacement projects or you can call our office and find out who will be your assigned subcontractor. Canal Maintenance 941-575-5092.May 17, 2018 Update:
All inspections have been finalized with FEMA. Mapping has been developed as well as an address list which will enable resident tracking. The list includes all locations deemed failed by FEMA. The limits of work may increase at some locations during construction as further damage is found.

Hurricane Irma Seawall Repair Update: Marine Contracting Group (MCG) will be replacing damaged seawalls in Burnt Store Isles which has been divided into BSI North (BSI-N) and BSI South (BSI-S). Marine Contracting Group has submitted a schedule to start work in the BSI- S section beginning October 1, 2018. The City is planning a workshop prior to October 2018 to discuss and answer any questions for the seawall replacements in Burnt Store Isles. Residents will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with designated Punta Gorda Canal Maintenance employees to discuss their individual seawall issues.

January 17, 2018 Update:
Hurricane Irma Seawall Repair Update: Notice to Proceed for seawall replacement has been issued and the contractors have submitted 30 day work schedules. Homeowners will be notified personally so that any preparation of personal property and boats can be accomplished.

Mapping has been developed as well as an address list which will enable resident tracking. The list includes all locations deemed failed by the first FEMA inspection and a re-inspection of close to 90 locations. The City will continue discussions with FEMA staff regarding discrepancies compared to inspections made by City inspectors. Sites in question will be re-inspected to ensure accuracy.

January 16, 2018 Update: Hurricane Irma Seawall Repair Update:Notice to Proceed for seawall replacement has been issued and the contractors have submitted 30 day work schedules. Homeowners will be notified personally so that any preparation of personal property and boats can be accomplished.

January 5, 2018 Update:
Hurricane Irma Seawall Repair Update:1. Staff held a preconstruction meeting with the 3 contractors assigned to PGI seawalls on 1/4/18. Each contractor will be submitting a draft schedule in the next few days. Once starting areas are identified, those homeowners will be notified personally so that any preparation of personal property and boats can be accomplished. One of the Contractors has begun hauling seawall panels to vacant lots.
2. Contractors have been assigned to the following zones: PGI-NE1 and PGI-SW assigned to Marine Contracting Group. PGI-NE2 and PGI-NW2 assigned to Duncan Seawall. PGI-NW1 and PGI-SE assigned to Shoreline Foundation.
3. Burnt Store Isles and Harborwalk seawall failures will be divided into smaller zones and rebid to allow smaller contractors to participate. Staff is hoping that the remaining work will begin in March.
4. City crews continue to monitor erosion issues, making temporary corrective actions where needed.
5. Detailed inspections of each seawall failure location has been completed. Inspection teams consisted of one City staff member and a FEMA inspector. The City has begun discussions with FEMA inspectors regarding discrepancies compared to inspections made by City inspectors. Sites in question will be re-inspected to ensure accuracy.
6. The contractor has produced 1,265 seawall panels to date.

Seawall Replacement Responsibilities:

Several residents have inquired about their responsibilities and contractor responsibilities related to the seawall replacement. In a summary, the seawall contractors will be responsible for removing the old seawall and anything in their way including docks and davits, installing the new seawall, back filling the area and installing Floratam or Bahia sod. Residents are responsible for their own docks, lifts, fences, irrigation and water lines, electrical and any other owner improvements in the vicinity of the seawall. Seawall contractors can usually work around freestanding docks that were not damaged by the seawall. Residents with damaged docks and lifts are encouraged to contact a marine contractor to determine whether parts of your dock or lift can be secured and reused prior to the seawall contractor performing his work.

Reduce Boat Speed Throughout Burnt Store Isles and Punta Gorda Isles:

The Punta Gorda canal system suffered a near catastrophic level seawall failures as a result of Hurricane Irma in both Burnt Store Isles and Punta Gorda Isles neighborhoods. As a result of these seawall failures there are many home owners who have seawalls down and erosion to their property.
The City of Punta Gorda is requesting that all boaters in Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles please restrict their boat speed and reduce their boat wakes as they travel through the canal systems until all the seawalls have been repaired. Where the wall is down, even a small wake tends to increase the erosion to the property and may cause significant damage in addition to the already documented damage from IRMA. This is the time to be mindful and conscientious of your fellow neighbor as this will be a long term recovery and constant reminders to the boating public in Punta Gorda is going to be required to minimize any additional damage. For questions or any additional information, please email pubworks@pgorda.us or call 941-575-5050.

Below please find the Code of Ordinance pertaining to the city’s responsibilities and the homeowners responsibilities related to seawall replacement:

Sec. 6-4. Careful and prudent operation; speed of boats.

b) No person shall operate a boat or watercraft in any creek, canal, arm of the harbor, boat harbor, anchorage, docking area or marina in a careless manner or any manner such as to produce a wake capable of causing damage to other boats, docks, seawalls, shorelines or other property by wash or erosion.

Mapping has been developed as well as an address list which will enable resident tracking. The list includes all locations deemed failed by the first FEMA inspection. The City has begun discussions with FEMA inspectors regarding discrepancies compared to inspections made by City inspectors. Sites in question will be re-inspected to ensure accuracy.

November 3, 2017 Update: Hurricane Irma Seawall Repair Update:1. City crews continue to monitor erosion issues, making temporary corrective actions where needed.
2. The City procurement division is receiving bids on 2 types of soil containment measures to be utilized as needed on the worst erosion situations.
3. City inspectors will complete a three tier assessment ranking 11/3/2017, classifying each property as High, Medium or Low Priority. A map will be published on the City website shortly after the assessment data is completed.
4. Bidding for FEMA compliant contracts is nearing completion. Various materials and a concrete contractor have been secured.
5. The contractor should begin pouring seawall panels in late November. City crews continue to pour seawall panels as well.
6. Bidding for seawall contracts will be opened on November 17th and award is expected mid-December. Work could begin shortly thereafter but it is more likely that we will see crews replacing seawalls in early January.
7. At the City Council meeting this week it was determined that residents cannot contract individually for repair of the seawall behind their home as this could interfere with the City’s contract operations and may jeopardize FEMA reimbursement. Homeowners may take emergency actions to secure their property repairs while they await permanent repairs. Please check with the building department before beginning any work.

Seawall Replacement Responsibilities:

Several residents have inquired about their responsibilities and contractor responsibilities related to the seawall replacement. In a summary, the seawall contractors will be responsible for removing the old seawall and anything in their way including docks and davits, installing the new seawall, back filling the area and installing Floratam or Bahia sod. Residents are responsible for their own docks, lifts, fences, irrigation and water lines, electrical and any other owner improvements in the vicinity of the seawall. Seawall contractors can usually work around freestanding docks that were not damaged by the seawall. Residents with damaged docks and lifts are encouraged to contact a marine contractor to determine whether parts of your dock or lift can be secured and reused prior to the seawall contractor performing his work.

Below please find the Code of Ordinance pertaining to the city’s responsibilities and the homeowners responsibilities related to seawall replacement.

Sec. 6-7. Maintenance of seawalls and appurtenances. (a) Responsibilities of canal maintenance assessment districts. Where the cost and expense of maintenance are borne by a canal maintenance assessment district created pursuant to this Chapter, the district, through its governing body, shall have responsibility to:

(1) Remove from the canals anything that impedes the flow of water or navigation such as silt or obstructions.

(2) Maintain the berm to proper height by placing fill on the water side of the seawall whenever necessary.

(3) Repair any deteriorating seawall, or remove and replace entirely the seawall, berm and backfill in the event of complete or major failure of the seawall, and employ all possible means to protect the abutting and adjoining property during necessary reconstruction.

(4) Supply fill material to property owners who wish to fill sinkholes supplying their own labor, or supply both labor and material if the owner so desires.

(5) Inspect the seawall, berm and backfill on properties in the district on a regularly scheduled basis. If inspection indicates a need for backfill or other corrective measures, the owner shall be given reasonable notice to correct the condition by a certain day, depending upon the nature and urgency of the situation. If the condition is not corrected within said time period, the district may proceed to perform the work necessary, billing the owner at cost, or extend the time limit for good cause shown.

(6) Administer and implement the program for canal maintenance and act as trustee for funds generated, to be expended only in the canal maintenance assessment district. Revenues are to be carried in two (2) separate accounts and disbursed only as follows:

a. Account No. 1--To be used to meet predictable budgetary needs for maintenance of waterways.

b. Account No. 2--To be used to create a contingency fund, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law, to cover unpredictable disaster type of emergencies which might occur from time to time.

(7) Dredge for boat docks and provide other maintenance services upon payment of user fees in amounts as established by resolution of the City Council.

(8) Dredge navigable channels, when needed.

(b) Responsibilities of property owners and tenants. It shall be the responsibility of all property owners and their tenants within canal maintenance assessment districts to provide proper and safe maintenance of all appurtenances of theirs as they may affect the condition of seawalls and canals, and specifically the following:

(1) On the water side of seawalls, maintenance of all davits or other hoisting or launching devices, docks, pilings, other devices, dock lights, water lines, power lines, boats and all other equipment.

(2) On the land side of the seawalls:

a. Maintenance of all davits or other hoisting or launching devices, patios, swimming pools, walks, sprinkler and plumbing systems, wiring, grass, trees, shrubbery and other appurtenances or structures erected or placed upon the property.

b. Maintenance of the backfill at least level with the top of seawall caps. The owner may notify the district if it is preferred to have such district perform the required maintenance, with the cost of such maintenance to be paid by the owner.

c. Refraining from any act that might endanger the integrity of the seawalls, tie-rods, or deadmen. Any object or structure attached to or resting on or against the seawall or seawall cap is prohibited, including cleats or anchors for the purpose of tying a vessel. Tie-off anchors may be placed six (6) feet or more landward of the seawall.

(3) Maintaining the appearance of the seawall and cap similar to those on adjoining lots.

(4) Dredging, except in navigable channels.

Reduce Boat Speed Throughout Burnt Store Isles and Punta Gorda Isles:

The Punta Gorda canal system suffered a near catastrophic level seawall failures as a result of Hurricane Irma in both Burnt Store Isles and Punta Gorda Isles neighborhoods. As a result of these seawall failures there are many home owners who have seawalls down and erosion to their property.
The City of Punta Gorda is requesting that all boaters in Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles please restrict their boat speed and reduce their boat wakes as they travel through the canal systems until all the seawalls have been repaired. Where the wall is down, even a small wake tends to increase the erosion to the property and may cause significant damage in addition to the already documented damage from IRMA. This is the time to be mindful and conscientious of your fellow neighbor as this will be a long term recovery and constant reminders to the boating public in Punta Gorda is going to be required to minimize any additional damage. For questions or any additional information, please email pubworks@pgorda.us or call 941-575-5050.

Below please find the Code of Ordinance pertaining to the city’s responsibilities and the homeowners responsibilities related to seawall replacement:

Sec. 6-4. Careful and prudent operation; speed of boats.

b) No person shall operate a boat or watercraft in any creek, canal, arm of the harbor, boat harbor, anchorage, docking area or marina in a careless manner or any manner such as to produce a wake capable of causing damage to other boats, docks, seawalls, shorelines or other property by wash or erosion.

Mapping has been developed as well as an address list which will enable resident tracking. The list includes visually inspected seawall failures as well as resident reported failures. This is a cursory review. You may find your next door neighbor’s seawall has failed but your address is listed or your next door neighbor’s address is listed but the failure extends to your home. If you suspect a seawall failure and neither your address or your neighbor’s address are not on the list, please contact Public Works at (941) 575-5050.

October 2, 2017 Update:
The Punta Gorda canal system suffered a near catastrophic level seawall failures as a result of Hurricane Irma. Staff is in the process of inspecting, assessing and prioritizing repairs in both Burnt Store Isles and Punta Gorda Isles neighborhoods. Projections are that 3/4 of a mile in BSI and over 15 miles in PGI suffered some sort of seawall damage and affected 925 parcels. It is projected that the estimated value of repairs is upwards of $27 million. These projections will vary upwards or downwards as the assessment process continues.

Mapping has been developed as well as an address list which will enable resident tracking. The list includes visually inspected seawall failures as well as resident reported failures. This is a cursory review. You may find your next door neighbor’s seawall has failed but your address is listed or your next door neighbor’s address is listed but the failure extends to your home. If you suspect a seawall failure and neither your address or your neighbor’s address are not on the list, please contact Public Works at (941) 575-5050. Maps will be updated every couple days until we are comfortable we have captured all of the failures.